A wedding is a happy time for the bridal couple. When this climax to the period of courtship is reached and the solemn vows of marriage are to be taken, the ceremony, if performed in a church, should be in harmony with the church atmosphere.
A church wedding should be characterized by simplicity in decorations and by a beauty in keeping with the house of worship. This means that the music will be free from sentimental and secular elements and appropriate to a religious ceremony.
"O Perfect Love," number 416 in the "Church Hymnal," represents the type of vocal music which is in harmony with a church ceremony. Religious wedding marches by Guilmant, Loret, and Kreckel make a welcome change from the tfaditional ones.
By using a better type of religious music and by keeping to simplicity, one may make a church wedding beautiful and in perfect harmony with our church standards.
Sometimes we bring in confusion by using in the church a type of song and instrumental music not appropriate for God's dwelling house. Such music might be suitable at the reception —away from the church, after the ceremony. It is best to make a clear distinction between the solemnity of the church ceremony and the reception after the ceremony. The church ceremony should be dignified and beautified with the best religious music in keeping with the house of God.
